CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57 BALLAD

The West City District of Baojiao County was a place of entertainment and prosperity, with taverns, tea gardens, cuju fields, chess clubs, opera gardens, and brothels.

If the Inner City was a relatively affluent area where only the wealthy could afford to live, then all who resided there possessed considerable family wealth.

Thus, those who could afford to enjoy the wealth and luxury of the West City District were truly the rich and carefree elites from the Inner City’s most exclusive circles.

They need not worry about their livelihood and spent their days contemplating how to enjoy life to the fullest, thanks to the foundation laid by their ancestors for generations.

Their forebears had endured all hardships so that the younger generation could lavishly spend and scatter money without fear of depleting their wealth, even if they lay on mountains of gold and silver.

Fragrance Pavilion was the most extravagant place within Baojiao County.

Chen Ku, whether in his past life or this one, was visiting such a high-class establishment for the first time. Without a doubt, every seat here would cost an ordinary person several years’ worth of farming income.

The long robe of Medicine King Hall, which held a prominent status in the outer city and countryside, could not garner a second glance from the guards at the entrance of the brothel here.

Fortunately, Chen Ku had someone send word ahead of time.

Soon after, Jiang Shaoyou personally came out to greet him.

"Junior Brother Chen, I was afraid you wouldn’t come."

"Am I late?" Chen Ku cupped his hands in greeting and asked, "Did I delay anything?"

"You, late? You’re early! When it comes to these gatherings, hardly anyone arrives on time." As Jiang Shaoyou spoke, he ushered Chen Ku inside, saying, "Let’s go in and sit first, and then in a bit, I’ll introduce you to the others."

Upon entering this place of luxury, it wasn’t as greasy and cosmetic-perfumed as Chen Ku had imagined. Instead, it had a refreshing fragrance, like sandalwood, with a hint of scholarly air. The singing and dancing were not overly noisy, but rather elegant.

They headed to the second floor, to a large private room.

"This must be Brother Chen Ku of Medicine King Hall, right? Shaoyou has been talking about you all day, about how you gave him quite the trouble."

As they entered, a man in his thirties dressed in silk, with an average face but clean, white teeth, and an aristocratic demeanor, stood up with a cup of wine and approached, saying, "I am Chai Tiangui. Come, come, Brother Chen Ku, let’s start with a cup of wine."

"I dare not claim the credit. It was entirely Senior Brother Jiang’s mercy today." Having chosen to come to this place, Chen Ku didn’t put on airs of superiority. He took the cup of wine and drank it in one gulp, saying, "Chen is fortunate to have met Brother Chai."

"Refreshing!" Chai Tiangui watched Chen Ku drink without hesitation, his eyes lighting up with appreciation. "You’re indeed someone recommended by Shaoyou, full of passionate energy. I’ve heard Brother Chen lacks a suitable weapon. If you don’t mind, I’m willing to gift you one. I just don’t know what kind of weapon you prefer or how heavy it should be?"

Chen Ku was inwardly moved by the gesture. This was no petty Official Chai, but truly a magnanimous Official Chai, just as Jiang Shaoyou had accurately described. No wonder his praise of him was so high. Chen then shamelessly said, "Then I will accept Brother Chai’s kindness. I have no special requirements—just a staff, preferably one that weighs around a thousand pounds or more!"

"A thousand pounds or more? To wield something so heavy!"

Chai Tiangui was initially taken aback, then laughed heartily. "Indeed, heroes emerge from the young. Alright, I look forward to quickly having this weapon forged and delivered to you, Brother.

"I can’t wait to see the scene when your enemies face a thousand-pound strike. Just picturing that scene makes me, Chai, feel honored."

"Many thanks, Brother Chai!" Chen Ku bowed his hands in gratitude, admiring Chai Tiangui’s character. It wasn’t because he felt like a swift horse meeting his Bole, but he truly respected Chai Tiangui’s straightforward way of living.

After Chai Tiangui shared a few drinks with him, several more guests arrived soon after. Chai Tiangui treated everyone with the same grace and hospitality, even casually gifting One Hundred Taels of silver to one of them.

No matter how Chen Ku looked at it, it seemed that aside from Chai’s sociable nature, he found a particular pleasure in spending money.

Jiang Shaoyou whispered to Chen Ku with a smile, "Incredible, isn’t it? But, in time, you will understand. In this world, life revolves around fame and fortune. Sometimes money isn’t the most important thing, especially for the wealthy. Most of the time, respect from others is what’s hardest to acquire. Yet, Brother Chai only needs to distribute what he has in abundance to win this hardest-to-come-by respect, and it comes from the heart."

Respect from others, huh...

Chen Ku pondered these words for a moment. He then looked at Chai Tiangui with newfound respect, admiring his clear grasp on life.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from outside:

"The son of County Deputy Qi, Young Master Qi Renwang, has arrived!"

The son of County Deputy Qi! Chen Ku couldn’t help but turn his attention in that direction. The County Deputy was the second in command of the entire county.

Shortly after, more announcements followed:

"Miss Shen from Registrar Shen’s family has arrived!"

"Third Young Master Zhou from Langui Fang has arrived!"

"Scholar Zhang has arrived!"

One after another, sons and daughters from major households, along with scholars of renowned fame, all made their way to the second floor of the Fragrance Pavilion.

Chen Ku looked at these people—whether they were daughters of the government Yamen or sons of famous merchants—and couldn’t help but sigh to himself, The elders behind these people are the ones who truly stand at the very top of the pyramid of power behind the scenes in Baojiao County, right? It really proves that saying... Everyone who comes here is somebody of status.

Compared to them, his previous identities as a freelance tradesman and a long-gowned shop assistant made him feel like a mere commoner.

And yet he had managed to blend in.

Chen Ku observed that everyone here appeared to be interacting with each other as equals.

This continued until an announcement came: "The daughter of Counselor Sui, Sui Qingfang, has arrived!"

Chen Ku saw that everyone present stood up, and he too was forced to rise and join them in welcoming her at the entrance.

Chen Ku was curious. The daughter of a Counselor was actually more prestigious than the son of a County Deputy?

Some of the other guests who had been invited were quietly asking their companions the same question. With his sharp hearing, like that of Skinny Dog, Chen Ku heard it all very clearly.

"Why is the daughter of a Counselor so highly esteemed?"

"Brother, you’re not from around here, are you?"

"Yes, I was recommended by Brother Zhang to pay a visit to Official Chai. I’m not very familiar with local matters, so I would be grateful if you could enlighten me, brother."

"That makes sense. Of course, it has to do with a folk rhyme from our Baojiao County. If you ask who’s the master of Baojiao..."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

Chen Ku looked discreetly at the speaker, a young man with clear eyes and a bright smile, who began to explain:

"It goes: ’No rival in Shangguan’s town... North Yang, South Li, Thirteenth Young Master... Counselor, Sharp Blade, Dragon, Tiger, Leopard... When the Long Spear is unsheathed, all else falls away.’"

"What does this rhyme mean? It seems to refer to ten people?"

The young man said, "Indeed, it refers to the ten strongest martial artists in the county. The ’Counselor’ mentioned is our very own Counselor of the Baojiao County Yamen, ’Sui You.’ Moreover, the rhyme ranks them according to their martial prowess. So, it’s not just any Counselor’s daughter who has come, but rather the daughter of the fifth strongest martial artist in Baojiao County..."

He drew a sharp breath. "If that’s the case, then ’No rival in Shangguan’s town’ means..."

A thought struck Chen Ku as he heard this. Shangguan? If he remembered correctly, the County Magistrate of Baojiao County had the surname Shangguan...

"That’s right, ’Shangguan’ refers to the Lord County Magistrate. An externally appointed County Magistrate, yet in just a mere five years, he has managed to govern Baojiao County impeccably. Do you really think it’s because of the official seal? No! It’s because of martial power!"

The number one martial artist in Baojiao County was none other than the County Magistrate. Chen Ku’s heart stirred.

In the Daji Dynasty, which emphasized martial prowess over scholarly aptitude, this seemed all too fitting.

After all, the preference for scholars over martial artists typically stemmed from the idea that scholars could more effectively serve the Imperial Court and stabilize its rule. However, if martial artists’ power became overwhelming, allowing them to reach the peak of their cultivation and become true champions capable of defeating thousands, then a societal shift towards valuing martial artists to maintain stability would be inevitable.

"So North Yang, South Li, and Thirteenth Young Master are the second, third, and fourth strongest, correct?"

"Yes, each of these three represents one of the county’s three great powers. Medicine King Hall is in the north, the Fish and Dragon Association is in the south, and the remaining one, Thirteenth Young Master, is Xie Qingfeng of the Xie Family from the Firewood Iron Shop."

Chen Ku listened, deeply moved. Medicine King Hall? North Yang? The one who cultivated the Furious Ape Mighty Staff at Jinshi Academy is actually the second strongest martial artist in Baojiao, right beneath County Magistrate Shangguan...